Justice for Immigrants

            After a number of years of failed attempts at reforming our admittedly broken immigration system, there seems to be some political will to make something happen. A bipartisan group of Senators who got the ball rolling on this issue, met with fairly strong support, including from President Obama. This might be the year, at long last, that immigration reform becomes a reality.

            There will be, undoubtedly, a great deal of debate and discussion about the specifics of immigration reform. Elements of any proposal will deal with issues such as border security, amnesty (or a path to citizenship) for those already here, treatment of those who were brought here as minors, and regulations for employers. When examining all of these issues, we, as Catholics, are obligated to use our faith to inform our politics, not the other way around.

            Perhaps one of the most helpful documents of recent times is Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope, a Pastoral Letter concerning migration that was issued jointly by the Bishops of Mexico and the United States in 2003. Immigration from Mexico (or across Mexico’s border), will be the focus of the debate.

            Strangers No Longer was the result of a two-year collaborative process by the bishops of both countries, and observes the common role of immigration in the history of each country as well as the role that faith in Jesus Christ has had in the life of each nation.

            It may be that the most helpful insight for us of Strangers No Longer is the listing of “five principles” (Articles #33-38) that the bishops felt emerged from “the rich tradition of Church teachings with regard to migration”.  These principles have been drawn from Church documents as well as examples and stories in Scripture, from the Israelites fleeing Egypt to the family of Jesus as refugees fleeing persecution.

            Principle #1 – “Persons have the right to find opportunities in their homeland”.  People should expect to find economic, political and social opportunities in their own country that will give them the ability to live in dignity, including work that provides a living wage.

            Principle #2 – “Persons have the right to migrate to support themselves and their families”.  The goods of the earth belong to everyone, so people may need to migrate to survive, and sovereign nations should accommodate this right as a matter of justice.

            Principle #3 – “Sovereign nations have the right to control their borders”.  However, the Church rejects such control when it is exerted “merely for the purpose of acquiring additional wealth”. In fact, more prosperous nations have a stronger obligation to accommodate migrants who are less fortunate.

            Principle #4 – “Refugees and asylum seekers should be afforded protection”.  People fleeing wars and persecution should be protected by the global community, and individual nations should provide an opportunity for migrants to claim refugee status without imprisonment.

            Principle #5 – “The human dignity and human rights of undocumented migrants should be respected”. People have a right to all basic human needs: food, shelter, clothing, work, and health care, regardless of their legal status.

              Our faith calls us to view any proposed immigration legislation by these principles, making sure that it will “transform national and international social, economic, and political structures so that they may provide the conditions required for the development for all, without exclusion and discrimination against any person in any circumstance.” (#102).

            More information and opportunities for advocacy can be found at the US Bishops’ site for immigration issues: www.justiceforimmigrants.org.